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Club Information
Thiensville-Mequon Rotary
Service Above Self
Tuesdays at 12:00 PM
Rotary Park
4100 Highland Rd, Mequon, WI 53092
Mequon, WI 53092
United States of America
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Stories
Dick Gruber - Former Goodyear Tire Business Consultant
As part of our leadership speaker series, today’s speaker was Dick Gruber. Dick is a former business consultant for Goodyear Tire. He is the father of 5 and grandfather of 9, and currently resides in Cedarburg. 
 
Dick spoke about the importance of customer service, both from the retail side to the wholesale side, and how it can extend to every aspect of business and relationships. He says it all starts with having a good conversation, which leads to a good relationship. He also pointed out the irony of having a customer service department. “If customer service is a department, what is everybody else doing?“
 
Of all the customers Dick had throughout his career, the most successful customers didn’t necessarily have an extensive education, or around the clock.  Instead, one particular customer made it a point to go work the counter so he had the opportunity to connect with his customers. Dick gave a great perspective on ways of providing customer service to advance any business.
Mel’s in the Village - Speakers Tom “Mel” Stanton and Dick Phalin

Mel’s Charities story can be heard time and time again, and still inspire. Mel’s goal of bringing Mel’s Charities to the southern end of Ozaukee County is coming to fruition in just a couple weeks away. On July 17 and 18, they will be hosting “Mel’s in the Village” where we can rock out on the river for Mel’s Charities.  Hope to see you there.
Rotary Foundation Giving - Congratulations to the Sunrise Rotary Club
 
A year of good honest competition has sprung a new home for the Sam Azinger Trophy for the 2020-2021 year. Although the Noon Club gave it their all, and raised $7,201.00, the Sunrise Club brought their A game in June to bring their total contributions to The Rotary Foundation and Polio Plus to $7,599.50, making them the winners of the 2019-2020 head-to-head competition between the two clubs. 
 
As for the Noon Club, the $7,201.00 in contributions is at least a 10-year high, and something to be truly proud of. As for the Sam Azinger Trophy, it will be presented to the Sunrise Club the next opportunity possible. Rest assured, the Noon Club will be back with a vengeance in the 2020-2021 year to bring the Sam Azinger Trophy home. 
Presentation of Peterson Apfelbach Award for Excellence in Attraction
The Peterson Apfelbach Award for Excellence in Attraction was presented to Sam Azinger for bringing the most prospective Rotarians to meetings in the 2019-2020 year.  What an honor to receive such a prestigious award named after the person who came up with the idea. 
Changing of the Guard June 30, 2020
Changing of the Guard this year was a truly special event, as we gathered together in person for the first time in several months. We thanked our 2019-2020 leadership, enjoyed a year in review presented by Rob Kos, gave out a ton of awards (both legitimate awards and the ones that Sam gave out), and introduced the 2020 Board of Directors:
 
Officers and Directors
 
President and Director:                              Samuel Azinger
President Elect and Director:                     Heather Mader
Secretary and Director:                              Maureen L. O’Leary
Director of Club Service:                           Kathleen Schneider
Director of Community Service:                Jennifer J.C. Hohn
Director of International Service:               Ellen MacFarlane
Director of Vocational Service:                  Megan Borland
 
Sam Azinger presents Rob Kos with First Place Trophy from the T-M Rotary Makeshift March Madness Bracket Challenge.
 
Sam Azinger Presents Sandy Custer with Runner-Up Trophy from the T-M Rotary Makeshift March Madness Bracket Challenge.
 
Sam Azinger prepares to present Rob Kos with Paul Harris Award.
 
Sandy Custer graciously poses after being presented with his Paul Harris +9 as Sam Azinger attempts to pose but cannot refrain from looking fondly upon Sandy in admiration.  
 
Our youngest Rotarian with the hardest name to spell, Peterson Apfelbach, graciously accepts Service Above Self Award.  Peterson will be off to UW Madison Law School in the fall. 
 
Pam Koch speaks after being presented with the Honorary Paul Harris Award. Pam's service to the Club and community are without match. 
 
John Rosing addresses the Club as this year's Rotarian of the Year!
 
 Tim and Joy Vertz pose for a picture with Greg Sommersberger as Peterson orders his first legal alcoholic beverage in the background. 
 
Several Rotarians and family members attempt to pose for a picture with everyone's eyes open before Rob and Dawn finally "totally nail it."
 
Sam Azinger claps for the recipient of some award that he probably made up and named after himself, followed by an inspiring speech resulting in everyone present being confident that this year is probably going to be the best year ever for the Thiensville-Mequon Rotary Club!   
Anyone Been to Village Park Lately?
Although an official meeting wasn’t called, several Rotarians had an impromptu meeting at Thiensville Village Park on a warm afternoon, which ultimately resulted in the presentation of the Rotarian of the Year award being given to John Rosing.

On a separate note, check out the newly carved stone around the Giving Tree. (Rotating this image seems to be outside of the scope of this author's capabilities, but feel free to turn your head 90 degrees to get the full effect.)
 
Family Fun Before the Fourth
 
On Saturday, a group of our members gathered to participate in the annual ice cream give away at our communities independence day celebration. While the day was far from normal, the visitors to the park were eager and excited to get their hands on this free dessert. Some patrons even returned for multiple helpings! Watching the community come together in a brief return to some normal activity was a sight to behold and we look forward to returning next year!
 
Pictured above: Ellen MacFarlane, Herb Hillman, Sandy Custer, Peterson Apfelbach
Changing of the Guard
We're ready not only to bring on the 2020-2021 Rotary Year, but also to begin meeting in person once again. 
 
Changing of the Guard will therefore take place in person at the American Legion in Mequon, starting at 5:00pm on Tuesday, June 30, 2020. Additional information about Changing of the Guard will be available and sent out in the next few days.
 
With our in person meetings resuming, we want to assure that all members are comfortable and included. We understand that there are some members who are unable to attend in person meetings either because they are immunocompromised or simply not comfortable with gathering in person.
 
I would therefore like to ask anyone in either of these categories to reach out to me in a reply email to discuss ideas of ways to include you in our meetings virtually during the pandemic.
 
I am looking forward to seeing everyone at our Zoom meeting on Tuesday, and at Changing of the Guard in 3 short weeks.
 
Regards,
Sam  
Meeting Responsibilities
If you cannot fulfill your responsibility, please make arrangements for someone else to take your place.
 
Thanks
 
Prayer/Inspiration
 
July 21
Sommersberger, Greg
 
July 28
Vertz, Tim
 
August 4
Von Rueden, Anthony
 
Greeter
 
July 21
Ott, Jim
 
July 28
Robertson, Dianne
 
August 4
Rosing, John
 
Pledge
 
July 21
Joynt, Matthew
 
July 28
Koch, Pamela
 
August 4
Kos, Robert
 
Russell Hampton
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